Kenya 2014 тАУ 7 days (Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita,Masai Mara)

By

Lake Nakuru was our next spot and we got to have lunch at the Lake Nakuru lodge, again a beautiful property and we set off towards the lake, a beautiful sight to see the flamingoes, though they were very far we did to see them flock awayтАж. what a beautiful sight, lake nakuru was truly a beautiful lakeтАж.again Rain was a spoilsport and all the animals went hiding and hence missed the change of seeing any wild catsтАж.we settled down early evening at the Lake Elementita Serena Camp, a very exclusive camp and so glad that we stayed here, we had the view of the lake from the lobbyтАж..couldnтАЩt ask for moreтАж..an absolute heaven. Each tent tastefully furnished with its own private veranda and NO we did not leave this opportunity to toast a glass of wine! Had the most yummilious food of all the lodges that we had stayed so farтАж. peaceful dinner with some live musicтАж..back in our cozy lodge we slept off listening to hyenasтАж.
We had to leave early morning, which was crispy and clear,and we left left sighing and wishing we could have spent more time in this beautiful lodge. Local people did say тАЬIf a visitor comes to Africa and it rains it means that you are blessedтАЭтАж.hmmmmтАж..I think were blessed enough and prayed it did not rainтАжlolzтАж.we were off on road to the most awaited destination of our TripтАж.the Masai MaraтАж.

Read More

A trip to Amritsar

By

We crossed the short stretch of paved no-man’s land, dividing 140 million Pakistanis from more than one billion Indians . We enjoyed every bit and tried to capture our emotions: – A proud Indian. Citizens of both the countries were just walking in and crossing the borders (of course after thorough security check). It had an amazing experience for us, though we missed the main ceremony. But never mind what we had experienced few minutes back was just beyond our dreams as we saw something which otherwise was not possible for us a common man/visitors. That day we felt, power gives priority. After greeting and giving vote of thanks to our Major Saab, we headed back towards the Golden Temple .

A very busy and rush Sunday, we saw a big queue for entry to main Hari Mandir Sahib Ji. Our other accompanied denied to stand in a queue and ready to back, because it would take more time. But we said we came here and without bow down our head, we will not back. So, we stand in a queue. A Sardar Ji came and advised us that Deepti, my wife and child can seat there until I reached near the entrance of the Sahib ji.

Read More

An Ode to Radhanagar Beach

By

I had just arrived and a mere look at the beach is what made me fall with it! Let me describe what Radhanagar beach was like. The place was super clean and had a handful of tourists. Radhanagar beach was guarded by police officials who were also responsible for the safety of the tourists. Next to the beach was a famous hotel chain which provided accommodation in beautiful huts made of bamboos and natural products. The place was serene and calm.

The view of the blue sees was amazing and I had never seen such a beautiful shade of water. The sand was perfect and was near to white. Radhanagar beach also had tourist huts made completely of bamboos. Radhanagar beach is not for the ones who are looking for some action. The beach doesnтАЩt have any facilities for snorkelling, scuba diving or boating.

Read More

Amarnath Yatra :: Panchtarni to Holy Cave

By

The test of faith on Lord Shiva continued all the way to Shrine. To reach there, itтАЩs another kilometre through slippery snowy path by the side of river Amaravati, and when we reached below the cave, we saw long stairs to climb and a longer queue to follow. The cave is located at an elevation of 13,500 feet above the sea level and its opening is a large semi-circular hollow into a cliff.
It was about 60-70 stairs before the cave we saw the base hospital and a young man of 33-34 years. He could not make it to the cave and took his last breath there. I looked up inside the cave and the belief became firm again. To reach at ShivaтАЩs feet, one must have his blessings; one must have got his calling.

I entered inside the cave with my two friends. The floor of the cave was extremely cold and wet. In deepest right corner of the cave, I saw Lord Shiva, in his unique shape of ice-lingam about 11-12 feet tall. I bent at his feet (the ice base) and offered Billa leaves. I stood quiet there for some time with folded hand but I forgot to seek anything from тАШMahadevaтАЩ and came out happily from the cave with a sense of fulfillment.

Read More

рдкрд╡рд┐рддреНрд░ рдЧреБрдлрд╛ рд╕реЗ рдмрд╛рд▓рдЯрд╛рд▓ рд╡рд╛рдкрд╕реА (Part 5)

By

рдЕрдорд░ рдирд╛рде рдпрд╛рддреНрд░рд╛ рдкрд░ рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рджреЛ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдПрдХ рдкрд╣рд▓рдЧрд╛рдо рд╣реЛрдХрд░ рдФрд░ рджреВрд╕рд░рд╛ рд╕реЛрдирдорд░реНрдЧ рдмрд╛рд▓рдЯрд╛рд▓ рд╕реЗред ред рдкрд╣рд▓рдЧрд╛рдо рд╕реЗ рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддреЗ рдХреЛ рд╕рд░рд▓ рдФрд░ рд╕реБрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рдЬрдирдХ рд╕рдордЭрд╛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рд▓реЗрдХрд┐рди рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддрд╛ рд▓рдореНрдмрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдХреБрд▓ рджреБрд░реА 32 рдХрд┐рд▓реЛрдореАрдЯрд░ рд╣реИ ред рдмрд╛рд▓рдЯрд╛рд▓ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддреЗ рд╕реЗ рдЕрдорд░рдирд╛рде рдЧреБрдлрд╛ рдХреА рджреВрд░реА рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ 14 рдХрд┐рд▓реЛрдореАрдЯрд░ рд╣реИ рд▓реЗрдХрд┐рди рдпрд╣ рдмрд╣реБрдд рд╣реА рджреБрд░реНрдЧрдо рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рд╕реБрд░рдХреНрд╖рд╛ рдХреА рджреГрд╖реНрдЯрд┐ рд╕реЗ рднреА рд╕рдВрджрд┐рдЧреНрдз рд╣реИред

Read More

Hello Havelock!

By

The Phoenix Bay Jetty is situated in the city and is home to all merchant vessels which are responsible for trade and commerce. The Jetty is the boarding point for the ones who want to visit Neil or Havelock Islands. We had our tickets in hand which were booked prior by Mr. Ravi (Tour Manager, Contact: 09434261219). The tickets for Havelock Islands are sold out within minutes. It is advisable to ask your agent/tour manger to get the same booked as soon as you land up in the city. There are private as well as government ship operators which provide connections to Neil and Havelock. Being the off season (August) the private operator (called as Makcruzz) was closed down and the only available option a government run ship.

The tag тАШGovernmentтАЩ automatically lowers the standards and gives me a bad impression of what so ever even before I see it. Anyways, the ship that we had to board was called тАШM.V JollybuoyтАЩ. We were booked in the only available option of seating lounge. One needs to spot his vessel and then proceed for boarding. As we stepped inside the ship, we were greeted by the Chief Officer of the ship who also checked our tickets. He later on transferred us to the seating hall. The so called seating hall had three rows and seats faced opposite to each other. It also had a television set which was cleverly hidden in one of the compartments. The hall seemed more like my seamanship class room with lots of safety boards and demonstrative visuals. Good enough! The ship departed right on time at 0630 and that is when I got to know that we can go on the bridge.

Read More

Around London – Weymouth, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

By

It’s been few months in UK (London) and was not sure what all things I can cover nearby outside London and I was constantly thinking about it. Few weeks back one after noon I along with my colleague somehow zeroed in on Weymouth which have few other places called Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove around itтАж I started exploring what all things we can cover in our three days trip and my colleague started exploring the options how to reach there тАж till evening we were all set to go on the Friday eveningтАж

We boarded the train on Friday evening and were supposed to reach our Holiday Park in Weymouth by midnight and which we did after few delaysтАж.

Saturday Morning 1 st Day тАУ exploring Weymouth — The view was awesome as the beach and the grasslands were visible from our Caravan and we were aware that it would be a long day walk ahead. ┬аWe spend couple of hours in our resort and headed towards the beach for which we came to Weymouth. ┬аThe sun was bright and penetrating and it took around 20 minutes to reach the sea shore. The moment we put our toes in the cold water all of us got refreshedтАж As it was a pebble beach there was no sticky feeling of sand and it was convenient going to and fro into the water тАжif you know what I meanJ. We spend few hours over there and then decided to walk along the shore which looks to be 3-4 miles

Read More

рд╣рд┐рдорд╛рдЪрд▓ рдбрд╛рдпрд░реА : рджреЛ рдкрд▓ рдХреЗ рдЬреАрд╡рди рд╕реЗ… (Sirmour рд╕рд┐рд░рдореМрд░ – рднрд╛рдЧ 1)

By

рдХрд╛рдВрдЧреЛ рдЬреЛрд╣рдбрд╝реА рдореЗрдВ рд╣реА рдореБрдЦреНрдп рд╕рдбрд╝рдХ рд╕реЗ рд▓рдЧрднрдЧ рдЪрд╛рд░ рдХрд┐рдореА рдиреАрдЪреЗ рдХреА рдЙрддрд░рд╛рдИ рдкрд░ рдХреИрдВрдк рд░реЛрдВрдХреНрд╕ рд╣рдорд╛рд░реА рдордВрдЬрд┐рд▓ рд╣реИ | рд╣рдореЗ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддрд╛ рджрд┐рдЦрд╛рдиреЗ рд░рд┐рд╕реЛрд░реНрдЯ рдХреА рддрд░рдл рд╕реЗ рдЕрдкрдиреА рдЗрдиреЛрд╡рд╛ рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝реА рд▓реЗрдХрд░ рд╕реМрд░рдн ( рдЗрд╕ рдХреИрдореНрдк рдХреЗ рдорд╛рд▓рд┐рдХ рдХрд╛ рдмреЗрдЯрд╛} рдЖрдпрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдЕрдм рд╣рдореЗ рдЗрд╕ рдХрдЪреНрдЪреА рдФрд░ рдкрдерд░реАрд▓реА рд╕рдбрдХ рдкрд░ рдмрд┐рдирд╛ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рд╕реБрд░рдХреНрд╖рд╛ рд╡ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддреЗ рдкрд░ рдЬрд╛рдирд╛ рд╣реИ | рдЗрд╕ рд╕рдбрдХ рдкрд░ рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝реА рдмрдврд╝рд╛рддреЗ рд╣реА рд▓реИрдВрд╕рдбрд╛рдЙрди рдХреЗ рд╣рд┐рд▓ рд╡реНрдпреВ рд╢рд╛рдВрддрд┐ рд░рд╛рдЬ рд░рд┐рд╕реЛрд░реНрдЯ рдХреА рдпрд╛рдж рддрд╛рдЬрд╛ рд╣реЛ рдЖрдИ | рдмрд┐рд▓рдХреБрд▓ рд╡реИрд╕реА рд╣реА рд╕рдбрд╝рдХ рдордЧрд░ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддрд╛ рдЙрд╕рд╕реЗ рднреА рдПрдХ рдХрд┐рдореА рдФрд░ рдЬреНрдпрд╛рджрд╛ рд▓рдореНрдмрд╛, рдКрдкрд░ рд╕реЗ рдмрд╛рд░рд┐рд╢ рдФрд░ рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреА рд▓рдЧрд╛рддрд╛рд░ рдЖрд╡рд╛рдЬрд╛рд╣реА рдХреЗ рдХрд╛рд░рдг рдмреАрдЪ рдмреАрдЪ рдореЗрдВ рдкрд╛рдиреА рдХреЗ рдкреЛрдЦрд░ рд╕реЗ рдмрди рдЧрдП рд╣реИрдВ рдЬрд┐рдирдореЗ рд╕реЗ рдЧреБрдЬрд░рддреЗ рдбрд░ рд▓рдЧрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдХрд╣реАрдВ рдЖрдк рдХреА рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝реА рдХрд╛ рдкрд╣рд┐рдпрд╛ рди рдлрдБрд╕ рдЬрд╛рдпреЗ, рдордЧрд░ рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рд╕рд┐рд╡рд╛ рдХреЛрдИ рдФрд░ рдЪрд╛рд░рд╛ рднреА рддреЛ рдирд╣реА | рдирд╛рд╕реНрддрд┐рдХ рдкрддрд╛ рдирд╣реА рдХреИрд╕реЗ рдЗрди рд▓рдореНрд╣реЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдкрд╛рд░ рдкрд╛рддреЗ рд╣реЛрдВрдЧреЗ, рдордЧрд░ рд╣рдо рддреЛ рд░рд╛рдо рд░рд╛рдо рдФрд░ рд╡рд╛рд╣реЗрдЧреБрд░реБ рд╡рд╛рд╣реЗрдЧреБрд░реБ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдФрд░ рдлрд┐рд░ рд╕реЗ рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рд░ рдпреЗ рд╕реЛрдЪрддреЗ рд╣реБрдпреЗ рдХрд┐ ┬ардЗрд╕ рдмрд╛рд░ рддреЛ рдпрд╣рд╛рдБ рдЖ рдЧрдП рдЕрдЧрд▓реА рдмрд╛рд░ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рдРрд╕реА рдЬрдЧрд╣ рдирд╣реА рдЖрдирд╛, рдкрд┐рдЫрд▓реЗ рдХреБрдЫ рд╕рд╛рд▓реЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдЗрд╕реА рддрд░рд╣ рд╕реЗ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдбрд░ рдкрд░ рдХрд╛рдмреВ рдкрд╛рддреЗ рдЖ рд░рд╣реЗрдВ рд╣реИ | рд░рд┐рд╕реЛрд░реНрдЯ рдХреА рдЗрдиреЛрд╡рд╛ рдЖрдЧреЗ рдЖрдЧреЗ рдЪрд▓ рд░рд╣реА рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдкреАрдЫреЗ рдкреАрдЫреЗ рд╣рдо рдордЧрд░ рдЕрднреА рддрдХ рддреЛ рд░рд┐рд╕реЛрд░реНрдЯ рдХрд╛ рдирд╛рдореЛ рдирд┐рд╢рд╛рдБ рд╣реА рдирд╣реА | рдордЧрд░ рдлрд┐рд░ рджреВрд░ рдиреАрдЪреЗ рдШрд╛рдЯреА рдореЗрдВ рдкрд╛рдиреА рдХреА рдХреБрдЫ рдЯрдБрдХрд┐рдпрд╛рдВ рдирдЬрд░ рдЖрддреА рд╣реИ рддреЛ рдорди рдореЗрдВ рдЖрд╢рд╛ рдХреА рдПрдХ рдирдИ рд▓рд╣рд░ рдХрд╛ рд╕рдВрдЪрд╛рд░ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдЬрдм рдЗрддрдирд╛ рдкрд╣реБрдБрдЪ рдЧрдП рддреЛ рд╡рд╣рд╛рдБ рднреА рдкрд╣реБрдБрдЪ рд╣реА рдЬрд╛рдпреЗрдВрдЧреЗ рдФрд░ рдлрд┐рд░ рд╣рдорд╕реЗ рдЖрдЧреЗ рддреЛ рдЗрдиреЛрд╡рд╛ рд╣реИ | рд╣рд╛рд▓рд╛рдВрдХрд┐ рдкреНрд░рдХреГрддрд┐ рд╡рд╣реА рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдкреНрд░рдХреГрддрд┐ рдХреЗ рдирдЬрд╛рд░реЗ рднреА, рдордЧрд░ рдЕрдм рдЬрд▓реНрджреА рдкрд╣реБрдБрдЪрдиреЗ рдХреА рд╣рд╕рд░рдд рдореЗрдВ рдЗрд╕реЗ рднреЛрдЧрдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдХреЛрдИ рдЗрд░рд╛рджрд╛ рдирд╣реА, рдЕрдиреНрдпрдерд╛ рдЖрдк рдХрд╣реАрдВ рднреА рдЕрдкрдиреА рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝реА рд░реЛрдХ рдХрд░ рдпрд╣рд╛рдБ рдШрдВрдЯреЛ рдЧреБрдЬрд╛рд░ рд╕рдХрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ | рдкрд░рдиреНрддреБ рдЪрд╛рд╣рдд рдЕрдм рдпрд╣реА рд╣реИ рдХрд┐ рдмрд╕ рдЕрдм рдпреЗ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддрд╛ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рддрд░рд╣ рдЬрд▓реНрджреА рд╕реЗ рдХрдЯ рдЬрд╛рдпреЗ |

Read More

Beautiful Manali in Monsoon

By

This is the season for apple; we could see apple trees with a lot of apples everywhere in Manali. Rohit always was crying for fresh apple in all the way like Amit was crying for Kahwa in Kasmir trip. So Sanjay went into apple garden and came with four fresh apples from tree.

In early morning of 18 Aug 2014, we checked-out from the hotel and moved towards Naggar Castle. This place is good for photography. So after some photo sessions, we left for our last destination Manikarn Shahib. Manikar Shahib is a very nice place and famous for hot spring water. We had bath in hot water kund and then visited Gurudwara, Hot Cave and Shiv temple. We had lunch in Gurudwara Bhandara. Anyone can enjoy camping in Kasol, just one kilometre before Manikaran.

Read More
Sonar Kella - The Golden Fortess of Jaisalmer

Reaching Jaisalmer – A road review

By

Childhood memories coming backтАж in those early days like every other child, I used to love crime fiction and there is a great tradition of detective fiction in BengalтАжthose month long Summer and Puja breaks were spent mostly reading Tenida, Ghanada, Kakababu, Bomkesh, Pandob Goenda, Feluda Series*. These stories were written mostly for kids and we enjoyed reading them a lot. Sometimes our wait for the next issue to come, would have been a month or even a year. Would we mind? No, not at all. Those were the perfect gifts for kids to inculcate reading habit.

Read More

Baratang: A Tribal Treat

By

Long back, a group of tourists shot a video of the Jarawas and uploaded the same on the web. According to the United States, this act was not justified and it was classified as hindrance to the tribal life of the Jarawas. The issue was raised out loud and was finally brought up to the Indian Government. After all sought of discussions and panel meetings, the government decided to offer protection to the community. The jungle was then handed over to the police and CCTV cameras were also installed amidst the wild. A convoy system was setup wherein a convoy of vehicles at specific time will be accompanied by the Police officials to cross the jungle from Jirkatang to Baratang and vice versa. The government also banned the use of mobiles and cameras in between the journey. The first convoy had to depart at 0600 hours and we were to go in the same.

Read More

Amarnath Yatra :: Ganesh Top to Panchtarni

By

We saw pilgrims tired and exhausted, moving slowly resting after every step or two and painfully looking at the steep ascent of Ganesh Top, thinking might be about the steps left, some were searching the shortest route and other going slow but steady. The pain was much less for us except sore back due to long horse riding. Suddenly, we saw a U shape mountain just before the Ganesh Top, standing tall and high, looking at the pilgrims as if it was a gate to heaven. Slowly we climbed up to the highest point of Amarnath Yatra route, the Mahagunus Top or the Ganesh Top at an altitude of 14500 ft above the sea level. The Army had a post there too and was at the services of pilgrims.

It is believed that Lord Shiva asked his son Ganesha to stay at this mountain peak and moved further with Goddess Parvati to the cave. Lord Ganesha might saw them off from here. He might have seen them descending to the valley of Panchtarni.

Read More